At a glance, Wild Rose is A Star Is Borngoes to Nashville by way of Scotland. It is so, so much more than that, though. An emotionally rich story of family intertwined with gritty and credible drama about the plight of an artist, Tom Harper‘s tender country-musical melodrama is one of the most purely moving and uplifting dramas you will see this year.

First thing’s first; it’s of the utmost importance to address the real-life star that’s born here. That’s 29-year-old Irish actress Jessie Buckley. First appearing on the map in 2008 via British musical theater competition show I’d Do Anything(she got an endorsement from none other than Andrew Lloyd Webberbut ultimately placed second), the actress received unanimous praise last year for her captivating, unpredictable turn in serial-killer romance film Beast.

Well, Beast and Wild Rose could hardly be less alike, and the same goes for Buckley’s respective performances. Riveting in the dramatic stuff with a golden voice that haunts, her work here signals the arrival of a screen talent to be reckoned with. This is one of the year’s great breakthroughs.

Jessie Buckley as Rose-Lynn Harlan in 'Wild Rose' (Neon)

In Wild Rose, Buckley plays Rose-Lynn Harlan, a reckless but well-meaning and affable Glasgow girl who tells people she was born in the wrong part of the world. Rose-Lynn’s heart is in country music, you see–so much that she relentlessly corrects those who don’t know the difference between country and country-western. She’s also just getting out of prison. These are charges you can file under “young and dumb,” but they’re nothing to take lightly all the same.

Though she has raw talent and a buoyant spirit that makes it hard not to like her, sometimes it seems like Rose-Lynn pays more attention to her pearly-white cowboy boots than she does to her small children Wynonna (Daisy Littlefield) and Lyle (Adam Mitchell). She’s a hard-partying absent mom, and she seems to always be disappointing people. Her mother (Julie Walters) is at the end of her rope. When a kind and affluent friend (Sophie Okenedo) takes interest in the aspiring songstress’ gifts, doors begin to open. It’s up to Rose-Lynn to refine herself in more ways than one. Honing her craft is only half the battle (if that); it’s time to take charge of her life and stop being such a mess.

The primary difference between country and country-western, for those keeping tabs the way Rose-Lynn does, is that country favors fewer instruments; it’s more stripped-down. You could even say it’s purer. All you need is three chords and the truth to be doing it formally. Rose-Lynn has the “three chords and the truth” sentiment tattooed on her arm; the irony here (which she is utterly unaware of when we first meet her) is that she’s living a compartmentalized, irresponsible lifestyle.

Watching her grow is pure moviegoing joy. Whenever you start to fear the authentically scrappy, funny and tender script by Nicole Taylor is about to delve into schmaltz or give Rose-Lynn an easy out, it doesn’t. It’s the kind of feel-good experience where you’re genuinely proud of the hero. Walters–you perhaps know her best for playing Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter movies–is tremendous here, as a concerned mother whose spirit hasn’t broken even though her nerves are surely fried.

It’s a joy to hear Rose-Lynn sing, too. Buckley’s voice has grandeur to fill concert halls and character to tell the kind of intimate stories that make the best country songs stick. Perhaps most stunning is a performance of Wynonna Judd‘s “Peace in This House.” Buckley sings it a cappella into a webcam, bathed in natural sunlight. It’s the kind of unvarnished thing of wild beauty that can elicit tears out of the blue.

It’s not really a spoiler to say Wild Rose has a double ending, and though iterations of the star-is-born saga have been told before, you won’t be able to predict just how the thing plays out. I was completely enthralled by every inch of Wild Rose. This is a really special, affecting film that leaves a mark. It’s one of the best films of 2019.

AMG/Parade Digital

Connect With Us

More from AMG/Parade

Our partners

Your use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance
of our User Agreement,
Privacy Policy,
Cookie Notification,
and awareness of the California Privacy Rights.
Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal
and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced,
distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used,
without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Media Group.
Ad Choices